Daniel 2:29 kjv
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.
Daniel 2:29 nkjv
As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be.
Daniel 2:29 niv
"As Your Majesty was lying there, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.
Daniel 2:29 esv
To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be.
Daniel 2:29 nlt
"While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about coming events. He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen.
Daniel 2 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 2:28 | "...there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries..." | God alone reveals secrets. |
| Amos 3:7 | "Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret..." | God's nature: He reveals to His servants. |
| Deut 29:29 | "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us..." | God reveals what He wills. |
| Isa 42:9 | "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." | God declares future events. |
| Isa 46:9-10 | "...I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning..." | God's unique power over time and prophecy. |
| Rev 1:1 | "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place." | God continues to reveal end-time events. |
| Gen 15:12-13 | "...a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him... Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers..." | God reveals future through sleep/visions. |
| Gen 28:12-15 | Jacob's dream of the ladder to heaven. | God communicates via dreams. |
| Gen 37:5-9 | Joseph's dreams of sheaves and stars bowing down to him. | Dreams reveal divine plan for individuals. |
| Job 33:15-16 | "In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds; Then He opens the ears of men..." | God uses dreams to speak. |
| Num 12:6 | "...If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream." | God's common way of communicating to prophets. |
| Dan 4:5 | Nebuchadnezzar again disturbed by a dream. | Dreams used for revelation. |
| Dan 7:1 | Daniel himself had a dream with visions on his bed. | Prophets also receive revelations in dreams. |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." | God is the source of all knowledge. |
| Jas 1:5 | "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach..." | God grants wisdom generously. |
| Dan 1:17 | "As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." | Daniel's wisdom came from God. |
| Col 2:3 | "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." | All true knowledge found in Christ. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | "For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another." | God determines rulers and destinies. |
| Psa 2:1-4 | "Why do the nations rage... He who sits in the heavens shall laugh..." | God's sovereignty over human rulers. |
| Rom 13:1 | "For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." | God establishes earthly powers. |
| Psa 4:4 | "Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah." | Reflection and meditation on one's bed. |
| Psa 63:6 | "When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches." | Contemplation on God while in bed. |
| Jer 23:24 | "Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord." | God is all-seeing and omnipresent. |
| Isa 41:22-24 | God challenges idols to predict the future. | Polemic against false gods and their inability. |
Daniel 2 verses
Daniel 2 29 Meaning
Daniel 2:29 reveals Nebuchadnezzar's personal contemplation on his future and the future of his empire while he rested. Crucially, it highlights that God, the true revealer of mysteries, supernaturally intervened and showed the king what was to come, not through human effort or pagan practices, but through divine revelation. This sets the stage for Daniel to reveal the dream and its meaning, thereby glorifying the God of heaven above all false deities.
Daniel 2 29 Context
Daniel chapter 2 narrates King Nebuchadnezzar's deep distress over a forgotten dream that had profound implications for the future of his kingdom. He demanded that his "wise men" not only interpret the dream but also reveal the dream itself, threatening them with death if they failed. The Chaldeans and other pagan diviners were unable to meet this impossible demand, admitting that "there is no one who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with mortal flesh" (Dan 2:11). This verse (2:29) precedes Daniel's public interpretation, where Daniel attributes the revelation solely to the "God in heaven" (Dan 2:28). It underscores the king's inward struggle and the divine initiation of the dream. Historically, Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (605-562 BC), known for his military prowess and massive building projects. His empire was at its zenith, and it was natural for him to contemplate its longevity and future. This context highlights the stark contrast between the powerlessness of the Babylonian false gods and their interpreters, and the omnipotence and omniknowledge of the one true God, Israel's God, who sovereignly reveals hidden mysteries.
Daniel 2 29 Word analysis
- As for you, O king (לָךְ מַלְכָּא - lāḵ mal·kā): Direct address to Nebuchadnezzar, emphasizing the personal nature of the revelation.
- your thoughts (רַעְיוֹנָךְ - raʿ·yō·nāḵ): Aramaic term for "thoughts" or "contemplations." This indicates internal pondering, deep considerations, or even worries that occupied the king's mind. It wasn't just a casual thought but something deeply affecting him, especially concerns for his kingdom's future.
- came upon (סְלִקוּ - sə·li·qū): Literally "went up" or "ascended." It implies that these thoughts rose within his mind or settled upon him.
- your bed (מִשְׁכְּבָךְ - miš·kə·ḇāḵ): A common place for private reflection, deep thought, and where dreams are often experienced. It signifies a private, quiet moment where the king's deepest anxieties about his kingdom's destiny emerged.
- about what would happen after this (מָה לֶהֱוֵא אַחֲרֵי דְנָה - māh leheweʾ ʾaḥărê də·nāh): Points to the king's concern for the future, specifically the destiny of his empire and perhaps the subsequent empires. The phrase "after this" often has eschatological implications in prophetic contexts, though here it refers immediately to successive kingdoms.
- and He who reveals mysteries (וְגָלֵה רָזִין - wə·ḡā·lê rā·zîn): This is a profound title for God in Daniel, highlighting His unique attribute. "Revealer" (gālê) means to uncover, make plain, or show. "Mysteries" (rāzîn) refers to secrets, hidden things, or divine counsels beyond human comprehension. This stands in stark contrast to the futile efforts of Babylonian wise men.
- made known to you (הוֹדְעָךְ - hōḏʿāḵ): Aramaic for "caused to know" or "informed." This active verb emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in imparting knowledge directly to the king.
- what would happen (מָה לֶהֱוֵא - māh leheweʾ): Reiterates the focus on future events, aligning with the king's concern.
Words-group analysis:
- "your thoughts came upon your bed about what would happen after this": This phrase sets up the king's deep, internal concern for his dynasty's legacy and the succession of power. It signifies a genuine human preoccupation that God graciously addresses, not an arbitrary imposition. It shows that God often interacts with us at the level of our deepest concerns and questions.
- "and He who reveals mysteries made known to you what would happen": This critical clause emphatically declares divine sovereignty and knowledge. It positions the God of heaven as the unique, ultimate source of prophetic understanding, directly contradicting the polytheistic and divinatory practices of Babylon, where priests and astrologers claimed such power. God is the one who "uncovers secrets," not man or idols. This demonstrates God's personal intervention in human affairs, even in the heart and mind of a pagan king.
Daniel 2 29 Bonus section
- The passage reveals that God answers genuine inquiries of the heart, even from those who do not yet know Him. Nebuchadnezzar's deep, unarticulated concern about "what would happen after this" resonated with divine purpose.
- This verse provides a crucial contrast: while human "wise men" relied on secret arts and failed to access true hidden knowledge, the God of Israel reveals profound truths simply because He is the "Revealer of mysteries."
- The fact that the revelation occurred "on his bed" highlights the personal and intimate way God communicates, reaching individuals even in their private, most vulnerable moments. It suggests God is interested in the silent thoughts and anxieties of human leaders, demonstrating His comprehensive knowledge of all creation.
- This specific instance underscores God's providential working to achieve His sovereign purposes, using even non-believers to lay the groundwork for understanding future divine plans concerning world empires and the ultimate establishment of His own eternal kingdom.
Daniel 2 29 Commentary
Daniel 2:29 serves as a pivotal explanatory statement within the narrative of Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation. It succinctly clarifies why and how Nebuchadnezzar received the revelatory dream. The king, naturally burdened by the weighty responsibility of his vast empire, harbored legitimate concerns about its future stability and duration. His "thoughts" on his "bed"—a time of quiet reflection—were not simply idle musings but deep anxieties regarding his legacy. In response to these unexpressed, perhaps even unconscious, ponderings, God Himself initiated the revelation.
The key emphasis is on "He who reveals mysteries." This is not a description of a mere diviner but the omniscient and omnipresent God of heaven. This phrase functions as a direct polemic against the Babylonian pantheon and their diviners, highlighting that true, reliable revelation comes only from the one true God, who holds all secrets of the future in His hands. Unlike the "wise men" who failed utterly to know the dream, let alone interpret it, God effortlessly communicates directly to the pagan king, showing His sovereign reach beyond Israel. The verse underlines God's intentionality and capacity to use dreams and human contemplation as a channel for divine communication, thereby establishing His ultimate authority over all earthly kingdoms and the unfolding of history. It foreshadows the broader message of Daniel, that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men (Dan 4:17, 25).